US4170185A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Preventing marine fouling
Assignee: Lectret SA
•
Filing: 1978-01-09
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Granted: 1979-10-09
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Expires: 1998-01-09
Abstract
Abstract An effective antifouling result with respect to marine creatures such as barnacles is achieved by energizing a piezofilm layer carried on the outside of a vessel to cause mechanical vibration of the layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Preston V. Murphy
- 👤 Mireille J. Latour
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:15
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B59/00; B63B59/04; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/06; B06B1/0688; H; H04; H04R; H04R17/00; H04R17/005; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T70/00; Y02T70/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A body for immersion in water in use which comprises: a structural portion having an external area to be in contact with said water in use, a piezofilm layer of substantial area, a first electrode of substantial area, a second electrode of substantial area, and a power supply, said first and second electrodes being in sandwich relation with said piezolayer therebetween, and said piezofilm layer, said first electrode, said second electrode, and said structure being integrally joined in the thickness direction of said piezofilm layer, whereby electrical change from said power supply vibrates said piezofilm layer over said entire area thereof in width, length and thickness directions, to provide antifouling at low expenditure of energy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A body for immersion in water in use which comprises: a structural portion having an external area to be in contact with said water in use, a piezofilm layer of substantial area, a first electrode of substantial area, a second electrode of substantial area, and a power supply, said first and second electrodes being in sandwich relation with said piezolayer therebetween, and said piezofilm layer, said first electrode, said second electrode, and said structure being integrally joined in the thickness direction of said piezofilm layer, whereby electrical change from said power supply vibrates said piezofilm layer over said entire area thereof in width, length and thickness directions, to provide antifouling at low expenditure of energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The body of claim 1 in which said piezofilm layer is outboard of said body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 1 in which there is a spaced plurality of piezofilm layers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 3 in which said layers overlie less than half the area of said body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 4 in which said body is a ship or boat.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said body is a ship or boat.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-10-08 | 1983-04-09 | 1983-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-10-08 | 1987-04-09 | 1987-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-10-08 | 1991-04-09 | 1991-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |